The Daily Times’ coverage of the impact fee issue has been disappointingly one-sided.

The views of builders and the real estate industry were featured prominently and in great detail, while counter arguments from those who might have reasons to protest the elimination of such fees – because of the impact this will have on the county and its taxpayers, for example – were not mentioned.

Were such observations even considered or sought?

Housing growth and affordability are important for a vibrant economy; equally important are adequate roads, water and sewer systems, schools, libraries, parks, and fire and police departments.

We can empathize with builders and Realtors who wish to maximize their sales and profits, but the County Council must also look out for the taxpayers who will shoulder the increased funding burden for infrastructure costs in the future.

Ironically, in another story in the same edition of the paper, we learned that in Delaware, where they have no impact fees, strained school budgets face programmatic cuts because of the district’s rapid student population growth.

The first sentence begins with this observation: “Growth is expensive.” Such consequences of growth are reasonably predictable. We should learn from their experience.

The Daily Times owes its readers more responsible coverage of this issue.